Globally, more than 500 million individuals, or about one adult in ten in the general population,

have some form of chronic kidney disease. Worldwide, over 1.5 million people are currently
alive through either dialysis or transplantation. The cumulative global cost for renal replacement
therapy is predicted to exceed US$ 1 trillion.
In the recent years, the significant impact of disastrous events, be they local (earthquake,
floods, war, extreme changes in weather condition) or global (the COVID-19 pandemic), affects
the functioning and living conditions of the community as a whole, by definition resulting in one
or more of the following consequences: human, material, economic and environmental losses
and impacts.[1] Those affected by chronic disease, of which kidney patients represent more
than 850 million people worldwide, are particularly affected by these disruptions, as the ability to
access proper diagnostic services, treatments and care is greatly jeopardized.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like chronic kidney diseases (CKD), are known to be the
leading causes of death and disabilities worldwide, significantly so in low- and middle-income
countries like the Philippines. In the event of emergencies, this cohort of the community is
among the most vulnerable in the population due to their ongoing requirements for consistently
coordinated care – care, which is often lifelong, and involving complex ongoing treatment.
Indisputably, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided a clear example of the challenges faced by
health care systems in providing essential health services to patients with NCDs. The impact of
COVID-19 on the health system has placed an added strain on this vulnerable population, who
have had to deal with the risk of becoming infected while visiting health facilities, or indeed the
suspension or cancellation of non-COVID-19 care due to health service capacity limits and
lockdown policies. Health services have struggled to provide access to the ongoing incidence of
new NCD cases needing diagnoses, management, and care. With no actual cure or treatment
to prevent progression of CKD, the under-detected and unhindered progression of CKD to
kidney failure will most certainly increase the global need for life-saving costly treatments of
dialysis and transplantation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly aggravated an already insufficient global political
health commitment on NCDs. Public health policy that better reflects the opportunities in
preventative strategies and the importance of both the magnitude and synergistic aspects of
kidney disease as part of the NCD burden are urgently needed.
It is for this very reason that every second Thursday of March every year, we celebrate the
World Kidney Day to raise awareness on the vital concern we all have to take part. The
challenges we face in this time of pandemic has doubled the work we have to do to save more
lives, not just those affected by COVID-19, but more so those who have other diseases such as
kidney diseases who have been placed on the sidelines due to the overwhelming task we have
to do to find our way out of this pandemic.
As such, I am delighted to welcome you all today as we affirm another narrative in this time of
pandemic. This is not a shift of focus but a balancing of priorities. With the theme Kidney Health
for all, Preparing for the unexpected, supporting the vulnerable! This is the World Kidney Health
Celebration 2023!